There wasn't a person sitting in Sun Life stadium in Miami Gardens Saturday night when Doug E. Fresh took the stage at the 7th annual Jazz in the Gardens and brought the audience on a trip down memory lane.

Known as the "World's Greatest Entertainer" for his ability to move his audiences to their feet, the hip hop star did not disappoint as he dee-jayed a medley of back-in-the-day tunes that had the audience dancing like they were in the club. The crowd especially enjoyed the segment when Fresh reminded them of their favorite TV shows with snippets of the theme songs to Good Times, The Jeffersons and Cheers. And the Human Beat Box amazed with his ability to simulate the sound of a drum in a closing performance that seemed as though he had an endless supply of air in his lungs.

Photos: 7th annual Jazz in the Gardens

R&B soulstress Ledisi followed Fresh's high energy performance with one of her own, opening with a rock and roll inspired number that had her moving from one end of the stage to the other. "I been in this business 12 years," she said. "I do what I wants to do." Not getting the kind of reaction from the crowd she wanted, she shouted, "I ain't scared of none of y'all."

A tremendous range, Ledisi hit high notes effortlessly and her love of performing was evident when she sang fan favorites Alright, Bravo and Pieces of Me. She talked about her struggle in the music business and used her time on stage to do a little sermonizing. “They told me,” she said, “you’re not a star. You don’t have the look.” She does have the pipes, though. Ledisi has been nominated for seven Grammys. “You must love yourself,” she said, “by any means necessary.”

Love is the theme that runs through almost every tune that crooner Kem performed. His set included You’re on my Mind, Why Would You Stay and Share My Life, which he said is one of his favorites.  A recovered drug addict, he, too, took the opportunity to offer inspiration. “God,” he told the audience, “has a plan for your life.” He closed with his first hit, Love Calls.

The long waiting period between Kem’s final song and headliner Jill Scott’s opening number is an area where the organizers of Jazz in the Gardens need to improve. Each year, the performers rarely start on time as it takes more than 30 minutes to change sets between acts. As a result, the show usually goes well past midnight. Scott was supposed to begin at 10:20. She didn’t take the stage until 11:30. Several people left during her performance.

For the majority who stayed, Scott was worth the wait.

Sporting a huge afro and a much slimmer physique, she came out strong with Hate on Me, followed by Love Rain and Long Walk and several other hits from her vast repertoire. Any fan of Scott’s who hasn’t seen her live definitely should. Radio does not do her talent justice. Her vocal skills are phenomenal and her exuberance contagious. She closed the show by dismissing her band and performing a capella to an enthralled audience. That’s talent.